FOUR men have been fined a total of almost £20,000 thanks to new rules to curb rogue landlords.

The four were prosecuted by council bosses for not measuring up to strict new regulations introduced in parts of Blackburn and Darwen.

David Ashcroft, who owns four properties in Newton Street, Darwen, was fined £10,000 for breaches including not connecting a house's boiler to electricity - so it had no hot water.

He was also found guilty at Blackburn Magistrates' Court of failing to apply for a licence and not complying with environmental regulations.

On top of the fine, he was ordered to pay costs to the council and £15 towards a fund for victims of crime.

Three landlords in the Infirmary area of Blackburn were also fined by magistrates.

Shraz Ashraf, who owns a house in Longshaw Lane, and Khalid Ali, who has a property in Dyson Street, were both fined £2,000 for not having property licences, £352 costs and £15 towards a victims' fund.

And Shahid Ullah, who owns two houses in Rockcliffe Street, was handed a £4,000 fine for not having licences for the properties, £352 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

After the court hearings, Lee Wright, Blackburn with Darwen Council's housing standards manager, said: "We want to work with landlords and local communities to improve the quality of life for residents.

"We want landlords to take their responsibilities seriously and take a more responsible role towards the management of their properties."

The cases were brought under the selective licensing scheme, which was piloted in central Darwen and Infirmary.

It requires landlords to apply for a licence and to prove they are 'fit and proper' to have tenants living in their properties.

It could be rolled out across the whole of the Blackburn with Darwen borough in future.